H. Res. 658 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

March 23, 2016. 

Whereas, on March 22, 2016, at least three Islamist terrorists conducted coordinated attacks against two sites in 

Brussels, Belgium, resulting in the loss of more than 30 

innocent lives and the severe wounding of many more innocent civilians; 

Whereas a number of American citizens are among those 

wounded; 

Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has 

claimed responsibility for the attacks; 

Whereas the brutal attacks at the Brussels airport and the 

Maelbeek metro station are the latest in a series of assaults by ISIS in Europe, including the November 13, 

2015, terrorist attacks in Paris, France, that were deliberately aimed at killing and maiming as many innocent 

people as possible; 

Whereas Belgian first responders and law enforcement reacted swiftly and heroically, caring for the wounded and 

taking immediate measures to prevent additional attacks 

and the further loss of life; 

Whereas at least two of the terrorists were killed in the suicide bombings, and Belgian intelligence and law enforce-
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ment are pursuing others possibly connected to these attacks and to those in Paris; 

Whereas Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel called the 

attacks ‘‘a black moment’’ for the country and urged his 

fellow citizens to stay united in their response; 

Whereas Belgium and its capital Brussels are the symbolic 

center of the alliance between the United States and Europe that was created following the devastation of World 

War II, including by hosting on its territory the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

(NATO) and the institutions of the European Union; 

Whereas Belgium and the United States have maintained 

strong ties based on shared values since Belgium’s independence in 1831; 

Whereas Belgium was a founding member of NATO in 1949 

and has been a steadfast ally of the United States in the 

decades since; 

Whereas, on September 12, 2001, for the first time in the 

history of the Alliance, Belgium joined our NATO allies 

to invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty that 

states ‘‘an armed attack against one or more of them in 

Europe or North America shall be considered an attack 

against them all’’; 

Whereas Belgium has been a steadfast partner of the United 

States in the international effort to defeat ISIS and other 

terrorist threats; 

Whereas the coordination of these attacks, following the terrorist assaults in Paris and in several other countries, 

demonstrates that ISIS members continue to plan and 

execute attacks, targeting United States interests and allies; 
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Whereas continued and enhanced intelligence cooperation, law 

enforcement engagement, and information sharing on 

emerging threats and identified Islamist extremists is essential to enhancing security for the people of the United 

States, Europe, and our allies around the world; 

Whereas the loss of innocent lives in Brussels strengthens our 

resolve to defeat ISIS and its terrorist affiliates which 

pose a growing threat to international peace and stability; and 

Whereas we stand in solidarity with our Belgian allies in 

their time of national mourning, ready to provide assistance in bringing to justice all those involved with the 

planning and execution of these attacks, as well as identifying and disrupting any plans to undertake similar assaults in the future: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist 

attacks in Brussels on March 22, 2016, which murdered 

more than 30 innocent people, and severely wounded 

many more; 

(2) expresses its deepest sympathies and condolences for those killed and injured in the attacks and for 

their families and friends; 

(3) pledges support for the Government of Belgium 

in its efforts to bring to justice all those involved with 

the planning and execution of these terrorist attacks; 
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(4) declares that the Islamic State of Iraq and 

Syria (ISIS) poses a fundamental threat to the universal 

value of freedom in all countries; 

(5) remains concerned regarding the flow of foreign 

fighters to and from the Middle East and West and 

North Africa and the threat posed by these individuals; 

and 

(6) expresses its readiness to assist the Government 

and people of Belgium to respond to the threat posed by 

ISIS and its terrorist affiliates. 

Attest: 

Clerk.